Hironobu Abe

Hironobu Abe (安倍 寛信, Abe Hironobu), born on May 30, 1952, is a Japanese businessman. He serves as the chief executive officer of AB Communications and previously held the position of CEO at Mitsubishi Corporation Packaging.

A member of the Satō–Kishi–Abe family, Abe is the eldest son of politician Shintaro Abe. He is the older brother of Shinzo Abe, who served as prime minister of Japan, and Nobuo Kishi, who served as minister of defense. His familial background includes being a grandson of former prime minister Nobusuke Kishi and a grand-nephew of former prime minister Eisaku Satō.

Born in Tokyo to Shintaro Abe and Yoko Abe, Hironobu Abe attended Seikei Elementary School, followed by Seikei Junior and Senior High School. In 1971, he enrolled in the Faculty of Economics at Seikei University. He graduated in March 1975, with some sources indicating graduation from either Seikei University or the University of Tokyo.

In 1976, Abe joined Mitsubishi Corporation, beginning his career in the Resources Division No. 3. Throughout his tenure with Mitsubishi, he managed business investments across multiple locations including Tokyo, Hiroshima, Kyushu, Toronto, and London. In February 2004, he was appointed as head of Mitsubishi Corporation’s China branch. In April 2007, he was named an executive officer of Mitsubishi Corporation. His appointment as head of a China branch to a position on the company's board was considered unusual at the time.

Abe served as president and Representative Director of Mitsubishi Corporation Packaging from 2012 until 2021, after which he retired from Mitsubishi Corporation in 2022. Following his retirement, he maintained a part-time advisory role and was appointed as an outside director at Yamaeo Group Holdings, Seikei Gakuen, and Fumakilla.

Family Tree:

- Grandfather: Nobusuke Kishi, former prime minister of Japan

- Grand-uncle: Eisaku Satō, former prime minister of Japan

- Father: Shintaro Abe, politician

- Brother: Shinzo Abe, former prime minister of Japan

- Brother: Nobuo Kishi, former minister of defense